Courier Cost Cutting Feedback/Discussion thread

deanos

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

The way we get around this problem when delivering our beds is that we plan the route on Autoroute. We then allow time for each drop going by experience. We then contact each customer by both e-mail and by phone (and by text if we don't get to speak to anyone), to give them a delivery time, explaining that they should allow an hour either way. We also give the customer our drivers mobile number. And our driver will call if they are ahead or behind, or if the customer has requested a call when the van is on it's way. I don't see why other companies can't do the same thing

Couriers will deliver hundreds of parcells from different companys, i presume you are just delivering for the one company so its easier to manage

Tim_Deegan

deanos wrote: »

Couriers will deliver hundreds of parcells from different companys, i presume you are just delivering for the one company so its easier to manage

Actually we deliver for 5 other companies as well as our own. And also deliver large bulky items for private individuals. It's all about customer service.

I wouldn't expect a parcel delivery company to phone each customer, but they must plan their route, and have a rough idea where the vehicle will be at any time. Otherwise they would have all sorts of problems with drivers going over their driving hours. As the large companies have all sorts of tracking technology, it wouldn't take a genius to link their tracking software to their route planner.

As for the companies who deliver large goods, or domestic appliance repairers, they have no excuse.

scbk

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

As I see it the OP did ask the courier to deliver to someone who was in during the day (the next door neighbour). I presume that they also checked with the neighbours to see if this would be ok. I also presume that they can trust their neighbour, otherwise they wouldn't have asked the courier to deliver to them.

The courier's customer (the sender) asked for the item to be sent to Joe Bloggs 42 High st NOT John Smith 40 High st as Joe wasn't in

The person any refund would be issued to is the customer so the company have to deliver it to where they say

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

I wouldn't expect a parcel delivery company to phone each customer, but they must plan their route, and have a rough idea where the vehicle will be at any time. Otherwise they would have all sorts of problems with drivers going over their driving hours. As the large companies have all sorts of tracking technology, it wouldn't take a genius to link their tracking software to their route planner.

Yes this should be possible, but not all parcels get delivered within a day, some will get left in the van till the next day, also delays and extra bookings will mess up the timings.
I think 50% of the time they could estimate a time an get it right, but the other 50% people will moan and groan that there package wasn't delivered when they said.
And all this would cost money, and most people aren't prepared to pay more for delivery. Look at this thread, people want it all and they want it for £5.95 inc vat next day mainland uk........

custardy

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

Actually we deliver for 5 other companies as well as our own. And also deliver large bulky items for private individuals. It's all about customer service.

I wouldn't expect a parcel delivery company to phone each customer, but they must plan their route, and have a rough idea where the vehicle will be at any time. Otherwise they would have all sorts of problems with drivers going over their driving hours. As the large companies have all sorts of tracking technology, it wouldn't take a genius to link their tracking software to their route planner.

As for the companies who deliver large goods, or domestic appliance repairers, they have no excuse.

its not always as simple as planning the route,at least in RM
we have 9am SD and 1pm SD
so a driver will have to go to the area with 9am's to get them away
then try and change the route to suit this
also some businesses are early calls so this changes how they do their run
this is coupled with thme needing t5o return to the depot to collect posties/bags etc

Rughead

Sounds like the courier driver is a direct employed driver. If he was an owner driver he would have left it anywhere he could and with anyone he could. As they only get paid per drop.

I know that companies like nightfreight will actually take pictures of the delivered parcel against the front door and preferably with the recipient. It is then electronically sent with the signature to the head office for storage.

It stops all the "sorry we didn't receive the parcel and the thats not my signature thing" Which used to happen a lot. There are a lot of dodgy people out there that will try all sorts of tricks to try and get something for free.

Tim_Deegan

scbk wrote: »

The courier's customer (the sender) asked for the item to be sent to Joe Bloggs 42 High st NOT John Smith 40 High st as Joe wasn't in

The person any refund would be issued to is the customer so the company have to deliver it to where they say

This varies with different couriers. As Rughead says Nightfreight take a photo, we also do this.

If the person who is receiving the delivery phones up with the senders details and the tracking number, then that should be enough security information to deliver to where the caller asks. Most people just can't wait in all day, but they may have a neighbour who is in.

scbk wrote: »

Yes this should be possible, but not all parcels get delivered within a day, some will get left in the van till the next day, also delays and extra bookings will mess up the timings.
I think 50% of the time they could estimate a time an get it right, but the other 50% people will moan and groan that there package wasn't delivered when they said.
And all this would cost money, and most people aren't prepared to pay more for delivery. Look at this thread, people want it all and they want it for £5.95 inc vat next day mainland uk........

I know that traffic delays can cause problems, but extra deliveries shouldn't be added to a full route. Also they should allow time for possible hold ups. We do this, and most of the time it works fine.

Claire_Jones_3

Hi,
Just after a bit of information from someone please. I've sold a couple of clothes bundles on ebay, one weighs 12kg and the other 6kg. When I look on RM website for standard parcels is would cost about £14 and £11 respectively, but would it be cheaper (and probably quicker) to send via a courier? If so can someone please recommend the best/cheapest one to use, ideally if they could collect from me as I'm carless during the majority of the day and I don't think my buggy would take the weight of the clothes and my son!
Thanks

Fenris

Rughead wrote: »

I used to work for a van rental company years ago and we used to hire vehicles to the courier firms. I have been on the deck of many of the top names (parceline,nightfreight,TNT,Tuffnels etc) And what I saw on all of them was pretty much the same.

The "loaders" used to load by standing on the deck and throwing the parcels into the back of the lorry (a 7.5ton truck has a 20foot load space). If it said "handle with care, Fragile etc" it was drop kicked in and not thrown in.

Now this was 10 years ago and things may have changed back then the guys in the hubs work late nights and got a really low wage with lots of time constrants so probably wasnt the happiest guys in the world.

Moral of the story is doesnt matter who you use they will still get abused.:mad:

So, the moral here is: don't put a "Fragile" sticker on it?! Madness.

As for low paid, yeah, well, most of us have been there. I used to work in Security (nights) and that's one of the lowest paid jobs going. Doesn't follow that I left all the doors and windows in the office block open! You choose the job you work in, you get told how much you'll get paid at the interview. If you don't like it, don't take the job!

I'm not aiming that at you btw, just a general gripe. I hate people who whine about being underpaid when they've chosen to work in that job. :mad:

Anyway, I'm atempting to send another printer/scanner so I'll see how it goes this time. I've padded out the printer box, then put that in a bigger box also padded out so if they manage to damage it this time I'll give up on all couriers!

ArmitageShanks

www.ppwexpress.com, we use them everyday. £6.95 DHL 48hr, collect from your house.

NB: you have to register first on their site before you can do anything.

red4453

www.directparceldelivery.com, we use them everyday. £6.50 Fedex 24hr, collect from your house.

NB: you dont have to register first on their site before you can do anything.